Thursday, November 20, 2008

NEWS FROM COSTA COMMUNICATIONS & TOP DOLLAR PR

Two from Costa Communications:

AWARD WINNING FILM EDITOR AND COMPOSER

JOHN OTTMAN

Reteams with Director Bryan Singer for

“VALKYRIE”

Award-winning film editor / film composer John Ottman reteams with director Bryan Singer for MGM’s World War II epic “Valkyrie” in theatres December 26. Score album available on Varese Sarabande December 12. Ottman has edited and scored all but one of Singer's films including “The Usual Suspects," to “Superman Returns” Valkyrie is not John Ottman and Bryan SInger's first confrontation with the Nazis. "Apt Pupil" told the story of a NAZI war criminal who is living in an american suburb. Ottman's highly effective score to “Valkyrie” blends an 80-piece orchestra with carefully-designed electronic elements. When John Ottman couldn't find the right audio textures, he manipulated his own voice to create them. Ottman’s score subtly contributes to the tension and suspense.

“Valkyrie, ”starring Tom Cruise, is based on the true story of high-ranking German officers during WWII, led by Col. Claus von Stauffenberg (Cruise), and their attempt to assassinate Hitler in order to end the war. The operation was code named "Valkyrie" for the emergency plan that was meant to be used in case of a revolt against the Nazi government.

John Ottman has successful traversed every genre as a film composer. His wide range of credits include the dark comedy Cable Guy, the thriller Gothika, Phoneboth, numerous superheros movies including Xmen 2 & 3, Fantastic Four 1 & 2, and Superman Returns as well as the drama Kiss Kiss Bang Bang starring Robert Downy Jr. and last years, Sci-fi blockbuster, The Invasion starring Nicole Kidman. His film scores have earned him a Saturn Award and several BMI Film Music Awards.

John Ottman won a prestigious BAFTA award in editing for "The Usual Suspects" and a nomination from the A.C.E. (American Cinema Editors). Ottman continues to edited all of Singer's films including the action-packed superhero films from XMen to Superman. Ottman and Singer first began collaborating while students at USC’s Film School on “Public Access,” which won the Grand Jury Prize at the 1993 Sundance Film Festival.

MUSIC TEAM

TRANSCENDERS

SETS TONE FOR HIT TV SERIES GOSSIP GIRL

Los Angeles, CA – Like the anonymous narrator in the hit CW series “Gossip Girl,” the Transceders have anonymously reached the ears of the masses. The group, consisting of Terence Yoshiaki, Brian Lapin, and Mike Fratantuno (founding members of the Black Eye Peas), wrote the iconic theme song, now familiar to viewers all over the world. In addition, Transcenders weekly compose the original music to complement the visuals and storyline within this controversial drama.

The Transcenders began working together in 1995. On the Black Eyed Peas first album, “Behind the Front,” Lapin mixed, produced and played keyboard and bass; Yoshiaki played drums; and Fratantuno played bass and guitar. Lapin left the band in 1999, but Yoshiaki and Fratantuno continued to tour with the band, writing the Grammy nominated hit “Let’s Get It Started” in 2004. The three formed the Transcenders in 2002 during a Black Eyed Peas tour break when they collaborated on the film score for “Cross Bronx.” From that point they realized that their individual styles complemented each other and they began creating music for various film and TV projects under the name Transcenders.

Along with “Let’s Get It Started,” Fratantuno’s songwriting credits include the #1 hit “Where Is the Love?” featuring Justin Timberlake, and the MTV favorite “Request Line,” featuring Macy Gray. On the film front, they recently scored the film “College” with Drake Bell and composed additional score music for the blockbuster film “The 40 Year Old Virgin.” They have also used their musical expertise to write original songs for “Superbad,” “Knocked Up,” “Forgetting Sarah Marshall,” “Harold & Kumar: Escape From Guantanamo Bay,” and “ATL.”

Gossip Girl revolves around the drama of a group of East Side Manhattan socialite teens who attend elite prep schools. The series was created by Stephaine Savage and Josh Schwartz and is based on a popular young adult book series by Cecily von Ziegesar. The show is the driving force for the CW Network and has given them #1 position on Monday nights among the 18 to 39 female demographic.

And Two from Top Dollar PR:

SUMTHING ELSE MUSIC WORKS ANNOUNCES RELEASE OF
BROTHERS IN ARMS: HELL's HIGHWAY ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK

Music Performed by FILMharmonic Orchestra and Choir at Rudolfinum in Prague

New York – Nov. 19th, 2008 – Sumthing Else Music Works, Inc., through its licensing relationship with Gearbox Software, proudly presents Brothers In Arms: Hell’s Highway Original Soundtrack featuring the original music score composed by Ed Lima and Duncan Watt. Developed by Gearbox Software, Brothers In Arms: Hell’s Highway is the third installment of the critically acclaimed series of WWII video games. The original soundtrack will be released on Nov. 25, 2008 to retail outlets through Nile Rodgers’ Sumthing Else Music Works record label www.sumthing.com, and for digital download at www.sumthingdigital.com and iTunes®.

Brothers In Arms: Hell’s Highway Original Soundtrack features the dramatic and emotionally poignant symphonic score composed by Ed Lima (Prey, Doom 3) and Duncan Watt (Need For Speed: Pro Street). As in the previous Brothers In Arms games, no music is featured during gameplay. Instead the score is focused on supporting the story and accompanies the cut-scenes and menus in the game. The music was recorded with the FILMharmonic Orchestra and Choir at the prestigious Dvorak Hall of Rudolfinum in Prague.

“The Brothers In Arms series of video games has always taken upon itself the responsibility to treat our nation's heroes and history with all the respect and honor they are due. It's an imperative that permeates every facet of Gearbox Software's development of this series,” said Ed Lima, Audio Director and Composer at Gearbox Software. “The music underscores the relationships that exist between these brave men, highlighting their connections, their trust in each other, and for some, their tragic ends.”

Track Listing:

1. Main Theme
2. The Story So Far
3. Baker’s Dozen
4. Double Time
5. The First Bad News / Letters To Loved Ones
6. For Matthew
7. We Happy Fewer
8. Eindhoven/Roadblocks/Frankie's Choice
9. Those We Lost
10. Farewell Is Goodbye.
Re-mastered versions of the scores to Brothers In Arms: Road To Hill 30 and Brothers In Arms: Earned In Blood are now available for digital download at www.sumthingdigital.com.

Brothers In Arms: Hell’s Highway brings the critically acclaimed squad-based WWII shooter into the next generation of gaming with superior graphics and sound and new gameplay features. Delivering on the franchise’s compelling story, unrivaled authenticity and intense squad-based action, Brothers In Arms Hell’s Highway drops players into Operation Market Garden, the largest paratrooper operation in World War II. For more information, visit www.brothersinarmsgame.com.

About Gearbox SoftwareGearbox Software is an award-winning independent developer of interactive entertainment based in Plano, Texas. Founded in February 1999 by game industry veterans, Gearbox quickly distinguished itself as a respected and recognized developer with the success of the company's debut title, Half-Life: Opposing Force. The company has since worked with such prominent franchises as Halo, Aliens, Tony Hawk, James Bond, and Samba de Amigo, and has also created successful new franchises with Brothers In Arms and Borderlands. Gearbox is committed to creating games that are technologically advanced, creative, and above all, fun to play. We employ the industry's most talented people and use proven production methods to create best selling games for all major platforms.

About Nile Rodgers
Award winning record producer Nile Rodgers is one of the most prolific music producers in history. Nile’s production accomplishments include such diverse artists as Diana Ross, Madonna, David Bowie, Duran Duran, The B-52’s, David Lee Roth, Grace Jones, Mick Jagger and top selling game soundtracks such as Halo® 2 Volume One. Records produced by Nile Rodgers have sold more than 100 million copies worldwide. As a founding member of the perennial Rhythm & Blues dance band Chic, Nile co-wrote all of their big hits including "Le Freak" and "Good Times", as well as "We Are Family" for Sister Sledge. In addition to records, he has also scored or produced music for numerous films including "Coming to America", "Thelma and Louise", "The Flintstones", "Beverly Hills Cop" and "Rush Hour II," as well as a variety of television shows and commercials. Nile is a board member of several organizations including the National Association of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS).

About Sumthing Else Music Works, Inc.
Since its creation in the late 1990’s by the world-renowned song writer, musician and record producer, Nile Rodgers, Sumthing Else Music Works has become the acknowledged industry leader in licensing and distributing video game soundtracks. Possessing full in-house services worldwide, from creation of original video game soundtracks through physical distribution, Sumthing is partnered with the world’s leading video game developers and publishers including BioWare, Bungie Studios, Capcom, Crytek, Eidos Interactive, Epic Games, Gearbox Software, Microsoft, Mistwalker, Rare, SEGA, Silicon Knights, Sony Computer Entertainment and Ubisoft. Their catalogue of titles includes the best selling video game soundtrack of all time, Halo 2: Volume One, as well as award-winning titles including: Gears of War 2, Fable II, Crysis, Advent Rising, Fable, Gears of War, Halo: Combat Evolved, Halo 2 Volume Two, Halo 3, Hitman: Contracts, Hitman: Blood Money, Jade Empire, Kameo: Elements of Power, Mass Effect, Red Steel, Unreal Tournament 3 and many others.

For Sumthing’s full catalogue please visit www.sumthing.com and their digital download service at www.sumthingdigital.com. Sumthing Else Music Works and Sumthing Distribution logos are copyright of their respective companies. All other names of products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

DESTROY ALL HUMANS!® PATH OF THE FURON™TO FEATURE FUNKED OUT ‘70’s SCORE BY GARRY SCHYMAN

AWARD WINNING COMPOSER PROVIDES ORIGINAL MUSIC FOR
LATEST INSTALLMENT OF SCI-FI ACTION VIDEO GAME FRANCHISE

Los Angeles – Nov. 20, 2008 – Film, television and video game composer Garry Schyman has created the original music score for the newest installment of the acclaimed Destroy All Humans! video game series. Developed by Sandblast Games (THQ Inc.), Destroy All Humans!® Path of the Furon™ is set in the 1970's and the game’s score is inspired by music styles from that era. Schyman’s musical influences for DAH Path of the Furon include classic 70’s film scores by Lalo Schifrin, Jerry Goldsmith and Roy Budd. The DAH Path of the Furon score was recorded with a live symphony orchestra as well as brass band, flute soloist, saxophone soloist and wah wah guitar performed by A-list musicians in Hollywood.

“The idea for DAH3 was to continue the approach set in DAH1 and DAH2 as though I was a film composer writing in that period,” said Composer Garry Schyman. “Of course wah wah guitar is slathered throughout because it was so ubiquitous and influential. Personally this is my favorite of the three DAH scores. I love this style of music!”

Kevin Kraff, vice president of global brand management at THQ commented, “Following his critically acclaimed original scores for DAH1 and DAH2, Garry was the perfect match to create the music for Destroy All Humans! Path of the Furon. Not only do we trust Garry's creativity to capture our vision for the franchise, but his unique skillset and bold repertoire is a natural conduit that truly connects and immerses the player.”

Garry Schyman's music for video games has received the Interactive Achievement Award from the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences for “Outstanding Achievement in Original Music Composition,” Spike TV Award for “Best Original Score,” G4TV Award for “Soundtrack of the Year” and four Game Audio Network Guild Awards, including the prestigious “Music of the Year” Award. Garry Schyman is represented by the Gorfaine/Schwartz Agency. For more information on the composer visit www.garryschyman.com.

Destroy All Humans! Path of the Furon is scheduled to release for Xbox 360® in December 2008. For more information please visit www.destroyallhumansgame.com.

About THQ:THQ Inc. is a leading worldwide developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software. The company develops its products for all popular game systems, personal computers and wireless devices. Headquartered in Los Angeles County, California, THQ sells product through its global network of offices located throughout North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. More information about THQ and its products may be found at www.thq.com and www.thqwireless.com. THQ, THQ Wireless, Destroy All Humans! Path of the Furon and their respective logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of THQ Inc. For more information please visit www.thq.com.